Combined stirrer,pump,and holder device for dyeing operations



H. J. DOELL Oct. 20, 1970 COMBINED STIRRER, PUMP, AND HOLDER DEVICE FOR DYEING OPERATIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 22, 1968 FIG.1

ATTORNEY H. J. DOELL Oct. 20, 1970 COMBINED STIRRER, PUMP, AND HOLDER DEVICE FOR DYEING OPERATIONS Filed April 22, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F\IG.4

3534,569 COMBINED STIRRER, PUMP, AND HOLDER DEVICE FOR DYEING OPERATIONS Howard J. Doell, Carneys Point, N.J., assignor, by mesne assignments, t Gubelin International Corporation,

Monnt Kisco, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 22, 1968, Set. N0. 722,879 Int. Cl. D061 17/02 U.S. Cl. 68-165 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The device includes a tubular rod body (FIG. l). Hooks 12, 14 are provided on the body for supporting a sample to be dyed in a dyeing liquid. The body includes an enlargement 16 at one end and a central bore opening 18 extending through the body. Radial openings 20-28 are provided in the body 10. Vertical reciprocating movement of the body causes pumping of liquid through the center bore 18 and the radial openings 2028.

The present invention relates to devices for use in dyeing operations, and more particularly to devices which are especially useful in the production of samples of dyed fibrous materials under carefufly controlled conditions.

T here is a continuing demand which is never fully satisfied for the development of new dyes and new dyeing processes for the purpose 0f improving and perfecting old processes and materials and for the purpose of developing new shades and colors, and matching existing shades. For this purpose, it is very useful to be able to dye small samples of fibrous materials such as textiles, paper, and paper pulp, under carefully controlled laboratory conditions, in order to test new materials and new variations in the dyeing process on an economical small scale basis. lt is also very useful to be able to produce small samples of dyed materials an a carefully controlled and reproducible basis in order to provide sales sample materials for customers. Thus, the customers may See and rneasure 0r test the colors before production quantities are ordered. The production of these sales samples may be on a relatively high volume basis so that it may be regarded as a quantity sample production.

lt is an important object of the present invention to improve the quality and reproducibility of the dyeing operation for the production 01 dyed samples of fibrous materials.

One of the major problems in the production of dyeing samples in a container of very limited size is encountered in maintaining the dyeing liquids completely and uniformly mixed. This problem is particularly serious in a disperse dyeing medium in which the dyestuffs are in the form of tiny grains o1 particles. In the absence of suflicient movement or agitation of the liquid, the dyestufls or pigment particles tend t0 settle out of the liquid With the result that the dyeing operation is not uniform, and is not fully efiective.

Accordingly, it is another important object of the present invention to improve the dyeing operation for the production of dyed samples of fibrous materials in which disperse dyestufls or pigments are maintained in a conditi0n of more complete suspension within the liquid.

Another important problem in sample dyeing operations is that of temperature control. For the most eifective results, and for complete reproducibility of results, the temperature of the dyeing liquids should be carefully controlled. T0 enhance the dyeing operation, a temperature considerably above the ambient temperature is often maintained. I-Iowever, to heat the dyeing solution, it is United States Patent O generally necessary to apply heat on a somewhat localized basis. The result often is that because of non-uniform heat losses the dyeing solution is not maintained at a perfectly uniform temperature. Thus, the dyeing results are not uniform.

Accordingly, it is another object 0f the invention to provide an improvement in the quality and reproducibility of the dyeing operation by achieving greater temperature uniformity in the dye solution.

Further objects and advantages of the invention Will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings:

In carrying out the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, there is provided a combined stirrer and liquid pump and holder device for a fibrous sample to be dyed including a tubular rod body having means thereon for support of the sample. The body has an enlargement at one end thereof and a central bore opening extending through the center of the enlargement and through the portion of the body extending from the enlargement. The body includes at least one radial opening through the Wall communicating with the bore. The device is operable to provide a reciprocal pumping action of dyeing liquid through the bore of the body when the body is immersed in dyeing liquid and subjected to mechanical reciprocating movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the body.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a device in accordance with the present invention illustrating how it is positioned Within a dye liquid container when in use.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred structure for attaching and supporting the device of FIG. 1 upon a supporting and driving structure.

And FIG. 4 illustrates the organization of a dyeing apparatus arranged for utilization with a plurality of the containers and devices illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a device 10 arranged to be supported within a container 11, which may be filled with a dyeing liquid to a level indicated at 13. Attached to the body of the device 10 near the lower end thereof there are two fixed hooks 12 forming a fork for supporting a sample of fibrous material to be dyed. Opposing hooks 14 form an opposing fork upon a sleeve member 15 which is adjustably mounted upon the body, and forms a part of the device 10. The sleeve mernber 15 is secured in the adjusted position by means 0f a thumbscrew 17. A skein of textile yarn may be mounted and fastened to the device 10 by threading the loops of the skein of yarn between the hooks 12 and 14, and by adjusting the sleeve 15 upwardly on the body 10 until the yarn is securely restrained between the hooks 12 and 14. The thumbscrew 17 is then tightened and the device 10 is immersed in the dyeing liquid Within the container 11.

At the bottom of the body of the device 10 there iS firmly attached an enlargement 16 which may have a funnel shape as shown. The enlargement 16 may be permanently attached, as by welding 0r brazing, or the entire device 10 may be fabricated as a single piece such as 'by casting With the enlargement 16 as an integral part. As an alternative, the enlargement may be detachably mounted upon the body member 10 by means such as screw threads.

Extending through the bottom of the enlargement 16 and the body of the device 10 there is a central bore opening at 18. This central bore opening preferably extends upwardly through a substantial portion of the device to a point approximately at the liquid level 13. Radial openings are provided through the Wall of the body of the device 10, as indicated at 2028. These openings extend into the central bore 18. The radial openings 20-28 are preferably spaced around the body of the device 10 in a spiral pattern.

In operation, the device 10 is reciprocated axially up and down within the container 11. This moves the skein of textile yarn vertically within the dyeing liquid within the Container 11. This movernent also causes the liquid to be stirred around within the container 11 so as to maintain a degree of uniformity in the dispersion of dyestuffs within the liquid and so as 10 maintain a degree of uniformity in the temperature of the liqud.

Furthermore, as the device moves downwardly during its reciprocation operation, the enlargement 16 at the bottom of the device acts sornewhat like a pump piston, which causes dyeing liquid to be pumped upwardly through the center bore 18 of the body of the device 10, the liquid being expelled through the radial openings 20- 28. Because of this pumping action, the velocity of liquid through the bore 18 is somewhat greater than the downward velocity of the device 10 within the container 11. The funnel shape of enlargement 16 also provides a scooping action which enhances the pumping operation on the downstroke.

Upon upward movement of the device 10, a reverse pumping operation takes place in which liquid is sucked into the radial openings 20-28 and expelled at the enlargement 16. It has been found that the pumping operation of liquid through the bore 18 greatly improves the dispersion of dyestuffs within the dyeing liquid. If the dyestuif particles are of the type which tend to settle to the bottorn of the container 11, the pumping operation is very eifective in providing a circulation of liquid through the bottom to pick up and redisperse those particles. It has also been found that the uniforrnity of temperature within the dyeing liquid is greatly improved by the pumping action, particularly in operations where the dyeing liquid is to be mantained at a temperature substantially higher than the ambient. Thus, the pumping operation aflorded by the pumping feature, including the enlargement 16 and the central bore 18, very substantially improves the uniformity and reproducibility of the dyeing results. While only five radial openings 20-28 are illustrated in FIG. 1, it will be understood that the number of openings is not critical. The pumping operation is eifective With only a single opening. It is generally preferred however to employ from six to eight openings.

When a skein of yarn is supported between the forks 12 and 14, the normal position of the sleeve member 15 carrying the fork 14 is smewhat higher than the position illustrated in FIG. l. Thus, the sleeve 15 may block one or more of the openings 2028. However, it has been determined that this is not a serious matter since the rernaining openings are sufiicient to provide the desired pumping operation.

Since the differential pressure between the liquid in the bore 18 and in the container 11 surrounding the device which causes flow through the openings 2028 is the greatest at the bottom-most opening 28, it is preferred that the openings should be graded in size, as illustrated in the drawing. Thus, the lower-rnost opening 28 is smallest in size, and the upper-most opening 20 is largest. With this arrangement, the small opening 28 does not form a complete hydraulic pressure relief by-pass to the other openings, and thus some of the flow is diverted to the other openings.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate in detail a quick-detachable connector structure for supporting and driving the device 10. In FIG. 2 there is shown the lower end of a support rod 30 having an enlarged tip 32 thereon and a sleeve 34, shown in section, which fits over, and is supported upon, the enlarged tip 32. The support rod 30 includes a spiral section 36 to provide a rotational driving operation for device 10, as will be described more fully below. The

enlarged tip 32 is provided at the lower end thereof With a re-entrant notch at 38.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the upper end 10A of the device 10. lt, too, is provided With a re-entrant notch at 40 which is substantially identical in dimensions to the notch 38. When the parts are to be coupled, the sleeve 34 is raised upwardly upon the supporting rod 30 to expose the notch 38. The tip of the rod at 40 is then fitted into the notch 38. In this position, the tips of the respective rods are nested into the cooperating corresponding notches. The sleeve 34 is then moved downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2. Because of the enlarged tip of the upper end 10A, the rod 10 is thereby securely fastened to the supporting rod 30, the enlarged tip at the notch 40 being prevented from escaping from the notch 38 by the confinement aflorded by the sleeve 34. It will be appreciated that this coupling is very easily and quickly engaged. Furthermore, it not only provides a vertical support for the rod 10, but it also couples the two rods together so that the rod 10 may be rotationally driven by the rod 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates, partially in schematic form, an apparatus adapted for use With the present invention. The apparatus of FIG. 4 is organized to provide for concurrent dyeing operations in four separate containers 11A11D.

The supporting rods 30 are all mounted upon and supported With a driving connection to a common yoke member 46. A driving means is provided for imparting a vertical reciprocating movement to the yoke 46. This driving means, as schematically shown in FIG. 4, consists of an electric motor 48 which drives eccentric cams 50 and 51 through a drive shaft 52 and belt 53. At the carns 50 and 51 there are provided cam follower rollers 56 and 58 fixed to the underside of the yoke 46. The eams 50 and 51 operate through these rollers raise and lower the yoke 46 as the shaft 52 rotates. The yoke 46 is stabilized as it moves up and down by means offixed stabilizing pins 60 and 62 which are engaged in appropriate holes in the yoke 46. The speed of the vertical reciprocation movement of the support rods 30 may be relatively low, in the order of from fifteen to sixty strokes per minute. Accordingly, the motor 48 includes speed reduction gearing. Stepped changes are available in the driving speed of shaft 52 by changing the position of belt 53 upon the associated pulleys of motor 48 and shaft 52.

Bach of the supporting rods 30 asses through a common fixed twist rake or collar member 54. The collar member 54 engages With the spiral portion 36 of each of the supporting rods. The engagernent of this collar member is in the nature of a screw thread engagement With spiral portion 36 such that the supporting rods 30 are forced to rotate as the supporting rods 30 reciprocate up and down. The attachment of the support rods 30 to the supporting yoke 46 is one which permits rotation. Thus the support rods 30 impart a rotational as well as a vertical reciprocation movement to the device 10 previously described in connection With FIG. 1. The rotation movement further enhances the uniforrnity of results in the dyeing operation by increasing the stirring and agitating action of the device and by moving the sample through the dyeing liquid in a cornbined rotary and reciprocating movement. Thus, there is no opportunity for the dyeing liquid to become stratified in a vertical orientation.

In a preferred physical embodiment of the invention the liquid containers 11 are preferably composed of glass to provide ready visibility and continuous observation of the dyeing operation. These may be glass beakers having a typical capacity, for instance, in the range from 200 cubic centimeters to 800 cubic centimeters. The invention may also be employed under conditions in which the dyeing liquid is not only heated but also maintained under pressure. The containers 11 are then composed of metal in order to withstand the pressure conditions. With sealed pressure containers, a conventional means is provided for imparting the reciprocating motion to the device in the presence of the seal. This may consist of a magnetic coupling which is capable of transmitting the motion through a pressure confining wall by means o f magnetic forces.

Virtually all of the other parts of the apparatus, including the device 10, are preferably composed of a corrosion resistant metal such as stainless steel. Corrosion resistant organic plastics such as nylon (polyhexamethylene adipamide) may also be usedfor certain parts. The bearings within the collar 54 whicli engage, with the twist portions 36 of the support rods 30 are preferahly composed of a wear resistant materialhaving natural lubrication properties such as polytetrflorethene. The bearings at the top o f the support rods 30, where they conuect with the driving and supporting yoke 46, preferably are of the anti-friction type such that the axial thrust loads Will be transmitted to the rods 30, but free rotation of the rods is perrnitted.

As illustrated in FIG. l, the enlargement 16 at the bottom of the device 10 is not so large as to closely fit with the inside walls of the cont'ainer1l. Accordingly, this enlargement can hardly be regarded as a piston cooperating with the container, as a cylinder, in the conventional sense. However, the horizontal cross sectional area (or the vertical profile area) of the enlargement 16 is preferably a substantial fraction of the total cross section of the interior of the container 11. Thus, as the device 10 descends in the container 11, there is an appreciable confining action of the liquid in the bottom of the container beneath the enlargement 16. This confining action causes the liquid to be forced upwardly through the bore 18 of the device 10. As indicated in FIG. 1, the spacing of the hooks of the forks 12 and 14 is tailored to the particular size of the inside diameter of the container 11. It is sometimes desirable to use a device 10 having narrower spacing cf the hooks 12 and 14, such as one initially desigued for a smaller container. When this is done, the correspondingly srnaller diameter of the enlargement 16 011 the substitute device 10 may be too small in relation to the diameter of the container 11 in order to provide the best pumping action. Accordingly, it is a desirable alternative to provide that the enuargement 16 is rernovably fastened to the bottorn portion of device 10, by screw threads, or by other easily detachable means so that the size of the enlargement 16 may be changed on a particular device 10 depending upon the size of the container in which it is to be used. Alternatively, the hooks 12 and 14 may be detachable and interchangeable with hooks having different widths. The cross sectional area of the enlargement 16 is preferably at least twenty-five percent of the total cross sectional area of the cooperating portion of the container 11. Furthermore, this cross sectional area of the enlargement 16 preferably does not exceed about ninety percent of the cross sectional area of the container 11.

The invention has been illustrated and described entirely in terms cf apparatus having a basically vertical orientation which is preferred for the device 10 and the container 11. It will be understood, of course, that the same principles may be employed in similar devices having other orientations. While only a single fastening means embodiment including the forks forrned by the hooks 12 and 14 has been illustrated, it will be undatstood that the invention may be employed very eifectively with devices 10 having alternative means for holding a sample. For instance, various other spaced apart hooks and fasteners may be employed. Furthermore, for samples such as paper pulp or loose textile bers which do not readily adapt themselves to being fastened in a self-supporting manner, a cylindrical enclosed wire basket may be employed as the holder. In such an arrangement, the enlargement 16 at the bottom of the device 10 may form at least a portion of the bottom Wall of the wi1e basket.

While this invention has been shown and described in connection With particular preferred embodiments, various alterationS and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to define the valid scope of this invention over the prior art, and to cover all changes and modifications falling within the true spirit and valid scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A combined stirrer and liquid pump and holder device for a fibrous sample to be dyed comprising a tubular rod body having means thereon for attachrnent of the sample thereto for support thereon, said body having an imperforate enlargement at one end thereof and a central bore opening extending through the center of said enlargement and through the portion of said body extending from said enlargement, said body including at least one radial opening through the Wall thereof communicating with said bore, said device being operable to provide a reciprocal pumping action of dyeing liquid through the bore of said body when said body is immersed in dyeing liquid and subjected to a mechanical reciprocating axial movernent.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enlargement has a funnel shape, the concave side of the funnel shape of said enlargement facing outwardly from the end of said body having said enlargement.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said body includes a plurality of radial openings comrnunicating With said bore.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said openings are arranged in a spiral configuration around said tubular rod body.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 in combination with an elongated cylindrical container surrounding and containing said device and operable to contain a dyeing liquid into Which the sample is to be immersed.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said enlargement at one end of said body has a rofile area which represents a substantial fraction of the total cross sectional area of the interior of said container.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said container and said body are arranged substantially vertically, and including means for imparting a vertical reciprocating movement to said body in relation to said container.

8. The combination as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for imparting vertical movement to said body includes rneans for imparting a combined rotational movement to said body.

9. A combined stirrer and liquid pump and holder device for a fibrous sample to be dyed cornprising a tubular rod body having means thereon for support of the sample, said body having an enlargernent at one end thereof and a central bore opening extending through the center of said enlargement and through the portiouof said body extending from said enlargement, said body including a plurality of radial openings through the Wall thereof cornmunicating with said bore, said device being operable to provide a reciprocal pumping action cf dyeing liquid through the bore of said body when said body is immersed in dyeing liquid and subjected to a mechanical reciprocating axial m0vement, said radial openings being spaced axially along the body of said device and graded in size with the smallest opening being axially spaced nearest to the end of said body having said enlargernent and with the largest opening being axially spaced farthest from the end of said body having said enlargernent.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 including driving means operable to drive the device in a cornbined mechanical reciprocation and rotation movernent.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1 in combination with an elongated cylindrical container surrounding and containing said device and operable to contain a dy cing.

liquid into which the sample is t0 be immersed.

12. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein said enlargement at one end cf said body has a profile area which represents a substantial fraction of the total cross sectional area of the interior of said container.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein said container and said body are arranged substantially vertically, and including means for imparting a vertical reciprocating movement to said body in relation to said container.

14. The combination as clairned in claim 13 Wherein said means for imparting vertical movement to said body includes means for imparting a combined rotational movement to said body.

15. A device as claimed in claim 9 in combination with an elongated cylindrical container surrounding and containing said device and operable to contain a dyeing liquid into Which the sample is to be immersed.

16. The combination as claimed in claim 15 wherein said enlargement at one end of said body has a rofile area which represents a substantial fraction of the total cross sectional area of the interior of said container.

17. The cornbination as claimed in claim 15 wherein References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 868,699 10/1907 Roberts 68189 2,538865 1/1951 Dyson 68-170 XR 3,379038 4/1968 Blancafort 68-170 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 845,491 7/ 1952 Germany.

70,483 10/ 1929 Sweden. 25,629 1/ 1902 Switzerland.

ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 

